This seaside landmark celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Its history includes many presidential guests, among them Benjamin Harrison, William Howard Taft and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who flew the presidential flag there, making it his official temporary residence. hoteldel.com

Celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2013, Georgia's Sea Island resort has attracted its share of presidents. Like other guests, they come seeking privacy and activities such as shooting, fishing, sailing, tennis and golf. Seaisland.com

The grounds of Sea Island Resort on Georgia's Atlanta coast is decorated with oak trees planted by visiting presidents, starting with Calvin Coolidge in 1928. In 2004, George W. Bush planted a tree to mark his stay for the G8 summit. Seaisland.com

The Hanover Inn: When it opened in 1780, this New Hampshire hostelry housed students at Dartmouth College, and it is still operated and owned by the Ivy League institution, says Heather Taylor, of Historic Hotels of America. Hanoverinn.com

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Celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2013, Georgia's Sea Island resort has attracted its share of presidents. Like other guests, they come seeking privacy and activities such as shooting, fishing, sailing, tennis and golf.(Photo: Seaisland.com)

Ever since George Washington took office in 1789, presidents have been hitting the road – and staying in the finest hotels in the republic. "A lot have great little memorabilia areas, and some have a little library. There's usually some nugget of history," says Heather Taylor of Historic Hotels of America. In honor of Presidents Day, she shares with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY some favorite hotels that have hosted commanders in chief.

Hotel del Coronado

San Diego

This seaside landmark celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Its history includes many presidential guests, among them Benjamin Harrison, William Howard Taft and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who flew the presidential flag there, making it his official temporary residence. But the 28-acre resort is hardly a creaky relic. "It's right on the beach. It's gorgeous," Taylor says. 619-435-6611; hoteldel.com

The Hanover Inn

Hanover, N.H.

When it opened in 1780, this New England hostelry housed students at Dartmouth College, and it is still operated and owned by the Ivy League institution, Taylor says. In 1972, the formerly all-male college went coed, and the building's fourth floor became an all-female dorm. Presidential guests include Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and, more recently, candidate Mitt Romney. 603-643-4300; hanoverinn.com

The Hermitage Hotel

Nashville

The lobby of this grand Beaux Arts hotel has been called one of the most beautiful public rooms in the country. "It was Nashville's first million-dollar hotel, the grandest of its day, the most opulent of the time," Taylor says. It served as a headquarters for John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign, and also hosted its share of celebrities. "There have been a lot of presidents, but a lot of famous musicians, actors, actresses, the works. There are a lot of good stories, but they can't name names." 615-244-3121; thehermitagehotel.com

The Homestead

Hot Springs, Va.

This 3,000–acre Allegheny Mountains resort opened in 1766 and has hosted 22 presidents, starting with Washington. A few years ago, Taylor and her family surprised their grandparents with a stay at the resort for their 50th wedding anniversary. "It was absolutely gorgeous," she says. "They did it right — massages, four-course meals, a carriage ride." 866-354-4653; thehomestead.com

The Plaza Hotel

New York

Since opening in 1907, this famed chateau-style hotel has figured into films, books and presidential history. It has been visited by all sitting U.S. presidents and was the site of the wedding reception when Richard Nixon's daughter Julie married David Eisenhower, grandson of former president Dwight Eisenhower. "It's an icon in New York. It's truly a lavish, lavish luxury hotel," Taylor says. 212-759-3000; theplazany.com

Sea Island Resort

Sea Island, Ga.

Celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2013, this Atlantic Coast resort has attracted its share of presidents. Like other guests, they come seeking privacy and activities such as shooting, fishing, sailing, tennis and golf. Each visiting president has planted a commemorative oak, starting with Calvin Coolidge in 1928. In 2004, George W. Bush planted a tree to mark his stay for the G8 summit. 855-714-9201; seaisland.com

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

Phoenix

The "Jewel of the Desert" opened in February 1929 and hosted Herbert Hoover, Bush and Reagan, who honeymooned here long before he occupied the White House. Frank Lloyd Wright served as the consulting architect, and the building shows his influence. 800-950-0086; arizonabiltmore.com

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Seattle

The Pacific Northwest's grand hotel opened during the Roaring '20s and began its presidential history by hosting Hoover. Since then, nearly every president and most presidential candidates have checked into the presidential suite. The huge hostelry, renovated in 2005, has 450 guest rooms, including 216 suites. 888-363-5022; fairmont.com/seattle

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

Ojai, Calif.

This central California Hollywood hideaway has not only hosted presidents Reagan, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, but during the 1940s, it was used as an Army training camp. The resort hotel eventually was upgraded and restored. "Most of these hotels have great stories," Taylor says. 805-646-1111; ojairesort.com

The Drake Hotel

Chicago

Chicago's Magnificent Mile welcomed this new luxury hotel on New Year's Eve in 1920, and it soon gained international fame by hosting the Prince of Wales. Other notable guests range from Winston Churchill to Pope John Paul II. Presidential visitors include Eisenhower, Ford, Clinton and local resident Barack Obama. 312-787-2200; thedrakehotel.com